'That was a wow moment for me' - Paul Hanagan defeated but proud after his final ride at York

There was no fairytale ending for Paul Hanagan who was out of luck on the last ride of his career at York on Friday.

The dual champion jockey trailed in well adrift of the winner Marhaba The Champ on Wootton'Sun for his long-time boss and friend Richard Fahey in the Sky Bet Handicap.

Hanagan, who announced his plan to retire after a quarter of a century in the saddle on Wednesday, was given a guard of honour by the other jockeys as he entered the parade ring. After climbing on board the last of his 1,006 career mounts at York, he received a spontaneous round of applause from racegoers keen to show their respect as he made his last ever circuit of the paddock.

"I'm still in shock with the ovation I got from the crowd round the paddock, that was a wow moment and a very proud moment for me," he said after the race.

"It wasn't to be on my last ride but we all know that horseracing isn't straightforward the whole time. It was good to go out like that for Richard. I owe him a lot."     

Paul Hanagan and Wootton'Sun finished out of the places in the 1m4f handicapCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hanagan said that it had been a very emotional day, adding: "You gear up for it and get ready for it but when the day comes it's a bit surreal.

"I walked the track with my two boys and got a little bit upset but in the right way – I was telling them not to worry if I get upset because it's out of happiness at such a great career."

Hanagan, who also received a presentation from the racecourse, was overwhelmed by the reaction to his announcement and said: "I didn't think I'd made such an impact. I know being champion jockey you're in the limelight but arriving here today every single person came up to me and shook my hand and said well done.

"I've got all my family here today and they're coming back to Malton. We're probably going to go out for a few drinks and it's going to be an enjoyable day."

Ryan Moore rode the winner for Kevin Ryan, who said: "Ryan said he just jumped a little bit awkwardly and that they didn't go as quickly as they might have. He was running a little bit free with him but he relaxed and Ryan let him fill up. He's done it well and that was a class ride — typical Ryan. That's why he's as good as he is.

"He's tactically brilliant and horses just run for him. I'm delighted for him to ride another winner for us – we've had good days with likes of The Grey Gatsby. Thankfully he'll always ride for us when he can."

Forest on fire in Gimcrack

You can tell you are having a good week when a horse who was beaten into fourth place at 1-3 in a novice event at Newmarket bounces back to give you a fourth win in the Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes.

William Haggas had expected Thursday's York winners Relief Rally and Sea Theme to run well but admitted the omens had not been good for Lake Forest, who started at 16-1 for a Group 2 contest the trainer took previously with Conquest (2006), Approve (2010) and Ajaya (2015).

"He just ran awfully at Newmarket," he said, "He was in a bate beforehand, he was upset, he was stupid to post and he was edgy in the stalls.

"He'd run a very good race in the July Stakes. We'd always planned to come here and his race last time nearly put us all off but why not have a go? You couldn't fancy him really, although I said to my son I thought he'd run well."

The two-year-old scored by a length under Tom Marquand, and Haggas added: "Today he was really calm and really good going down. We saddled him in the stables and walked him across. I think he'll get further. Tom said he went too early today."

Read more:

'The body is telling me no' - dual champion jockey Paul Hanagan to retire from riding at York on Friday 

'It's going to be sad, it won't be the same without him' - Richard Fahey leads tributes to retiring Paul Hanagan 

Classic winners, star sprinters and Shadwell aces - Paul Hanagan's five best horses 

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